GE B36-7

GE B36-7
CSXT5842, a GE B36-7
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems Model B36-7 Build date 1980 – 1985 Total produced 230
Specifications Configuration: ​ •AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)standard gauge Prime mover GE 7FDL16 Aspiration Turbocharged
Performance figures Power output early:3,600hp(2,700kW) late:3,750hp(2,800kW)
Career Locale North AmericaSouth America Disposition Most scrapped. Several in service on short lines.

TheGE B36-7is a 4-axlediesel-electric locomotivebuilt byGE Transportation Systemsbetween January 1980 and September 1985. 222 examples of this locomotive were built forNorth Americanrailroads and eight units were built for a Colombian coal mining operation. The units were designed as successors to GE's U36B's. Of the 230 locomotives built, 180 of them were built for two Eastern railroads -Seaboard System Railroad(which became part ofCSX Transportationin 1986) andConrail.

These 4-axle locomotives were powerful when introduced in 1980. When first built the units were rated at 3,600hp(2,700kW), later versions were rated at 3,750hp(2,800kW). They were designed for fast and priority service, movingintermodal and containertrains.

Design

The B36-7 was developed from theB30-7,and externally is identical to its predecessor.The first 4 B36-7s were built for theCotton Beltin January 1980, as modified B30-7s with increased horsepower and several new design features: according toExtra 2200 Southmagazine these units featured General Electric's new Sentry Adhesion System, a wheel slip detection system. These 3600 horsepower units also featured the new GE 752AF traction motor, the new GTA-24 traction alternator and 83:20 fine tooth gearing.

Production

ConrailB36-7 5054 leads afreight trainatDuncannon, PA

Following the 4 Cotton Belt units, GE started official B36-7 production at its Erie, PA facility. The second order for B36-7s was built for the Santa Fe in October and November 1980.Between 1983 and 1985, Conrail, Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Seaboard System placed further B36-7 orders. Production ended in September 1985 when the final B36-7 was built for Seaboard.

AT&SF7499 between the sidings of Becker and Sais, NM on the Belen Cutoff between Belen and the west end of Abo Canyon in August 1983

Original owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Santa Fe	16	7484-7499	Some of the units were sold to British Columbia Railway, Renumbered 3604-3613.
Conrail	60	5000-5059	5045 destroyed in the1987 Maryland train collisionand scrapped
Cerrejon Coal Project(Colombia)	8	1001–1008
Seaboard System	120	5806-5925	To CSX; All retired as of Dec 2009.
Southern Railway	6	3815-3820	High hood.
Southern Pacific Transportation Company	16	7754-7769
Cotton Belt	4	7770-7773

See also

• GE U36B

References

• Marre, Louis A.; Pinkepank, Jerry A.; Drury, George H. (1995).The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide: A comprehensive reference manual to locomotives since 1972.Railroad Reference Series (Book 14). Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing.ISBN0890242577.
• Extra 2200 South.No. 69. February 1980. pp. 7, 17.{{cite magazine}}:Missing or empty|title=(help)
• Extra 2200 South.No. 72. January 1981. pp. 7, 17.{{cite magazine}}:Missing or empty|title=(help)